RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy recently announced the launch of VeteranHub, a new one-stop shop for veteran services in Tasmania.
VeteranHub offers a range of integrated services, including well-being support, social work, employment assistance, DVA compensation advocacy, and housing assistance.
Veterans and their families can connect with a VeteranHub Navigator for support either remotely or in person by calling 03 6154 0000 or visiting veteranhub.org.au.
The island’s RSL Sub Branch president Gary Barker is personally well aware of the challenges facing veterans and, just as importantly, their families.
Following a mental breakdown in 2012 from events that occurred 30 years earlier during his Army service, he was at life’s lowest ebb.
He had been widowed, his children knew something major was wrong but naturally thought it would soon pass. Their dad had always been there for them but no one was there for him and he continued to spiral downward.
It was through a GP’s referral to a psychiatrist that his life slowly improved. He remembered, “I felt shame with my weaknesses as it went against everything I had been trained to do, and this added to the burden.”
The psychiatrist, after diagnosing acute posttraumatic stress disorder, gave him a direction – get yourself an advocate to deal with the Department of Veteran Affairs.
In hindsight, this was the best advice he had ever been given but he did not realise it at the time. This was late 2012, and while the all-of-life medication was starting to work, the government bureaucracy hit him for a six – literally.
It was not until August 2013, following an appeal to the Veteran’s Review Board, that his Advocate’s case that Barker be recognised as a totally and permanently incapacitated veteran was accepted. He still has his dark times but since moving to King Island and being understood and cared for by his partner, Margaret Stansfield, he has found solace.
Over the last 12 years veteran suicides have continued, not helped by three different legislative Acts that relate to when a veteran served.
Barker is pleased to see that the Veteran’s Hub is now open and is available to veterans and their families throughout Tasmania. He knows the biggest challenge for many will be to ring 03 6154 0000, but it will at least start the ball rolling.
As was shown on Anzac Day, the RSL Sub branch is still very relevant and will continue to quietly work with veterans and families to assist them.
Barker strongly believes that face-to-face contact on a remote Bass Strait island is critical to the process of moving forward, noting that some service damage can take years to control.
The mateship of veterans and their families will always be the cornerstone of recovery.
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